Give Love, Not Lollipops

March 7, 1985|By Rochelle Koff, Staff

Parents who want to reward or comfort their children would do better to give them a hug instead of an ice-cream cone.

Aside from causing obesity, sweet treats can come to symbolize love and replace the intangible ways family members show their affection, says Cynthia H. Adams, associate professor of allied health professions at the University of Connecticut.

Serious emotional problems may develop within the family when food becomes the primary source of love, Adams says.

This practice can also backfire when the child becomes an adolescent.

``These foods, once given in love, now take on a metaphor of parental control,`` Adams says. ``One way to show parents that they are not in charge is to reject their food, their advice, their love.``

OVERCOMING DISABILITIES

``The Child with Learning Disabilities`` is the subject of a program at 7 p.m. March 14 at Memorial Hospital`s Perry Auditorium, 3501 Johnson St., Hollywood. Topics range from diagnosing the child with learning disabilities to the types of facilities and alternatives available for educating and helping these children.

Speakers include learning disability specialist Marcy Weinberg; Debra Leher, director of special education for the Central Agency for Jewish Education; Rosemary McGarry, learning disabilities curriculum supervisor for Broward County public schools; and psychiatrist Gary Magid. The program is presented by Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with the Broward County Medical Association Auxiliary`s south branch. For information call 987-2000, Ext. 5460. Admission is free.

AT THE CROSSROADS

If you are recently divorced, separated or widowed, re-entering the job market can bring traumatic changes. But the following three programs, which address the needs of women making the transition from home to workplace, may ease the adjustment.

(BU) The Displaced Homemaker Program on Broward Community College`s north campus has a support group that meets every Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Building 48, Room 315, 1000 NW Coconut Creek Blvd. Services are free. For information call 973-2398.

(BU) The Displaced Homemaker Program on BCC`s south campus is presenting workshops from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through March 22 at 7100 Hollywood Blvd. Issues to be covered include career decisions and options in the local job market, assertiveness, identifying strengths and job-seeking skills. For information call 963-8874.

(BU) Palm Beach Junior College`s Crossroads Program for displaced homemakers is offering a workshop from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday at the college, 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth. The program is free, but registration is necessary. For information call 433-5995.

OVER 40 AND FABULOUS

For women getting a ``second lease on life,`` Palm Beach Junior College`s Women`s Center is offering a six-week course called ``Over 40/50 and Fabulous.`` The course, from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday,is taught by psychologist Irv Rikon. The cost is $5. For information call 439-8014.

HIGHLIGHTING WOMEN`S ACHIEVEMENTS

Celebrate International Women`s Day by attending two events Friday at Broward Community College, 3501 Southwest Davie Road, Fort Lauderdale. At 4 p.m. there`s a panel discussion, ``The Ghetto in the Workplace,`` in the faculty dining room, Building 19. The discussion will focus on whether women are winding up in dead-end jobs. At 8 p.m., there`s an opening reception for an art exposition called ``Her Self,`` presented by Women`s Caucus for Art National Juried Exhibition, under the supervision of Kyra Sullivan, BCC faculty member and the college`s art gallery curator, in Building 3.

The events are part of Women`s History Week activities sponsored by the Nova University Women`s Forum and the Broward Community College Women`s Group. A poster show, ``Women in History,`` will be open until Friday evening in the east corridor of Parker Building, Nova University, 3301 College Ave., Davie.

CARING FOR MOMS AND BABIES

Classes in early pregnancy and baby care are being offered by the Childbirth Education Association of Broward. Classes for pregnant women focus on fetal development, nutrition, maintaining a comfortable pregnancy and helpful hints for the working woman. The two-week class is at 7:30 p.m., March 15 and 22, in the dining room of Humana Hospital Bennett, 8201 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. The cost is $10. The CEA is also presenting a baby care class from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday in the same location. Cost is $5. For information call 726-1555.

UNDERSTANDING INFANT DEVELOPMENT

Babes Inc. is offering a six-week course called Mothers and Babies, which focuses on babies up to 6 months old. The course, which begins March 14, helps mothers to better understand their baby`s development and learn songs, games and activities appropriate to the child`s age. The $50 course is from 10:30 to noon at 10335 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs. For information and registration call 753-9857.